delivering bad news would be tough for her. âThe security V.P. is competent. He has no problem with my team coming down a few days early and setting up shop. Next time, Iâll be the heavy.â
âYouâd do that for me?â She shut down the computer and stowed it under her seat.
âYeah,â he said. Heâd do more than that for her, which worried him. He should be putting up barriers, reinforcing the ones that had kept him safe and in control for years. Instead he felt this small woman slipping past them.
âYouâre not suited to be a bad guy,â she said.
Her perception never failed to surprise him. Though it shouldnât. No one was more aware of the events and people around them than Cami. She observed life instead of living it. He was worlds too hard for her.
âYouâre right. I was a cop for six years.â
âReally?â
The plane lurched, saving him from answering. Cami sat up straighter, her eyes wide with fear. âWhat was that?â
A seasoned traveler, it took more than a dip in the plane to worry Duke. âJust a little turbulence.â
âI donât like it.â
He lifted the armrest between them and put his arm around her, pulling her into the curve of his body. He couldnât help but notice that she fit perfectly thereâas if she were made for him and him alone.
The plane dipped again, this time more violently, and the overhead lights flickered on.
âLadies and gentlemen, this is the captain speaking. Weâre hitting some turbulence, but everythingâs fine.â
Camiâs hand gripped his thigh, her nails biting into his flesh. His thoughts were on anything but the small worry of the planeâs competency. Cami grabbed his hand and held on so tightly. Her agitation visible in her shortened breaths and racing pulse.
âSweetheart?â
âYes, Duke.â
âI wonât let anything happen to you,â he said. He didnât know where that promise had come from, only knew that heâd had to say it. True, everyone heâd ever wanted to protect had left him, but this sweet woman touched a part of Duke that he didnât know existed.
âPlease make sure your seat belts are fastenedand trays are in an upright position,â a flight attendant advised.
Without thought, he reached over and tightened Camiâs belt. His mind whirled with possible scenarios. The plane going down. Cami was much too small to take care of herself. Heâd cover her with his body and protect her if they crashed.
They hit another pocket, and the plane pitched more roughly than before. Camiâs grip tightened painfully on his leg.
He pried her hand free of his leg and held it in his own. Such a small fragile hand. Sheâd stand no chance against the threats of life. Living the life he had, he wondered at the miracle that sheâd survived as long as she had.
The plane pitched again, throwing them both forward. Duke held Cami tighter, preventing her from hitting the seat in front of them. Cami looked up at him.
âWhat is it?â
âI donât want to die,â she said, her voice softer than morning.
âWeâre not going to.â
âYou donât know that,â she said.
He didnât know how to calm her down. Rubbing his hand against her small shoulder, he encouraged her to lean against him. She whispered something but he didnât catch it.
âWhat did you say, sweetheart?â
âI donât want to die a virgin,â she said, her big brown eyes meeting his gaze with a levelness that belied her earlier panic.
âYou wonât,â he said. Hearing confirmation of her innocence should have strengthened his resolve to stay away from her but it made him want to claim her. To be the man who awakened this sleeping beauty from her sleep.
The plane leveled out but he couldnât let go of her. The captain reassured them it was âsmooth
Sharon Kleve, Jennifer Conner, Danica Winters, Casey Dawes